Brief
Dobbies plant buyer shares gothic houseplant ideas for Halloween décor
Senior plant buyer Claire Bishop suggests air plants, black‑leafed varieties and orange foliage to give homes a gothic feel for the season.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ahead of Halloween and the upcoming release of the film Ebenezer, Dobbies Garden Centres senior plant buyer Claire Bishop offered a list of houseplants that can give interiors a gothic, spooky look, the Independent reported on 13 October 2026.
What happened
Bishop explained that low‑light, non‑flowering plants are ideal for darker rooms, and that artificial light can help. She highlighted several species: Tillandsia air plants for a cobweb effect, the black‑leaf Zamioculcas ‘Black Raven’, large‑leaf Monstera for dramatic shadows, veined Alocasia, and the banana‑shaped Strelitzia nicolai. She also mentioned aloe vera for its spiky form, Dracaena with dark woody stems, and colourful options such as anthuriums in red or orange and Calathea crocata with orange blooms. The cyclamen ‘Djix Red’ and Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ were added for a pop of colour against dark foliage.
What was said
"As the clocks are about to go back, low‑light plants are a great thing," Bishop told the Independent. She added, "What’s good is anything with a really big leaf because it’s obviously got more surface space to absorb whatever light there is. Artificial light can help as well, but go for anything low light, probably non‑flowering because plants need a little bit more light to push the flowers through." Regarding Tillandsia, she said, "You can hang it anywhere, mist it and it gives you a spooky feel, especially in a corner or on a shelf, a bookcase or a banister." On the black raven plant she noted, "Its deep purple‑black leaves work really well in a darker room setting." She described Monstera as "fantastic because its big interesting leaves cast a spooky shadow on the wall, giving a creepy almost triffid plant look." For Strelitzia she advised, "Go for Strelitzia nicolai, the non‑flowering variety with glossy, banana‑like paddle leaves, if you’re looking for a low maintenance plant which will thrive in low light." She concluded that anthuriums and Calathea crocata add bright colour, while cyclamen and the orange‑leafed Philodendron provide whimsical touches.
Key facts
- Claire Bishop is senior plant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres. (independent.co.uk)
- She recommends low‑light, non‑flowering houseplants for Halloween décor. (independent.co.uk)
- Suggested plants include Tillandsia air plants, Zamioculcas ‘Black Raven’, Monstera, Alocasia, Strelitzia nicolai, aloe vera, Dracaena, anthuriums, Calathea crocata, Cyclamen ‘Djix Red’ and Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’. (independent.co.uk)
- Bishop says artificial light can supplement low‑light conditions. (independent.co.uk)
- The advice coincides with the Halloween season and the film release of <i>Ebenezer</i>. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Spooky houseplants for Halloween”
